Yes. JoeBees is completely free to use, with no account required. Plan a raised bed, ask the AI gardening tutor questions, and print a take-outside sheet at no cost.

How big should my raised garden bed be?

A 4×8 foot raised bed is the most popular starter size. It gives you 32 square feet — enough for a varied salad, herb, and tomato mix — while staying narrow enough to reach the center from either side without stepping into the bed and compacting the soil.

What is square-foot gardening?

Square-foot gardening, popularized by Mel Bartholomew, divides a raised bed into 12-inch squares and assigns each square a set number of plants based on their mature size. JoeBees uses this method to maximize yield per square foot while preventing crowding and root competition.

Does JoeBees support companion planting?

Yes. JoeBees flags antagonistic pairings placed too close together and groups proven companions automatically. The AI layout tool also accounts for spacing, sun exposure, and your USDA hardiness zone.

🫘

Bush Bean

vegetable

Fixes nitrogen — great for feeding hungry neighbors.

At a glance

USDA Zones: 3–10
Sun: Full sun (6+ hrs)
Water: Medium — water when top inch of soil is dry
Soil: loam
pH: neutral
Spacing: 4 in. between plants
SFG per sq ft: 9 plants per 1-ft cell
Days to maturity: ~55 days

Planting & harvest windows

Northern Hemisphere timing. Adjust ±4–6 weeks based on your last/first frost dates.

Activity	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Plant
Harvest

Plant Harvest

Good companions

🌽
Corn
Beans fix nitrogen the heavy-feeding corn needs and climb the corn stalks for support.
🥒
Cucumber
Beans add nitrogen that cucumbers love; their growth habits don't crowd.
🥕
Carrot
🍓
Strawberry
🌼
Marigold

Keep apart from

🧅
Onion
Alliums inhibit nitrogen-fixing bacteria on bean roots, reducing yield.
🧄
Garlic
Alliums inhibit nitrogen-fixing bacteria on bean roots, reducing yield.
🌾
Fennel
Fennel is allelopathic to most beans, slowing germination and growth.

Recommended varieties

Blue Lake 274
55 daysseed
The standard green snap bean. Crisp and tender.
Provider
50 daysseed
Cold-tolerant, plant earlier than most.
Contender
50 daysseed
Heat-tolerant, heavy yields. Good for the South.
Dragon Tongue
57 daysseed
Yellow wax bean with purple streaks — mild and nutty. Turns green when cooked.
Royal Burgundy
55 daysseed
Purple-podded bush bean. Striking and easy to spot at harvest.
Haricot Vert (Maxibel)
55 daysseed
Slim French filet bean — tender and gourmet at any table.

Add Bush Bean to your raised bed — the planner handles spacing and companion warnings automatically.

Open the planner →

← All plants Full companion chart →